The following Photographs and information have been donated by Battlefrontmodels Customers over the years they range from basic to customised RC tanks and vehicles to heavily modified models.
All images and data are copyright to the Members and BFM

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' Battle Damaged Brummbar '
Sent in by
Peter Symonds Nottingham UK

A rare model from Peter this Brummbar is built from a Pz.4 Chassis and a Welsh Dragon Citidal Kit with Zimmerite added by Peter.
We like the German Signal Magazine being read by the Commander a nice little touch and the lookout soldier with the Tellermine.

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The 'Brummbar' a Brief History.

The Sturmpanzer was a development of the Pz.4 tank design built to provide direct infantry fire support, especially in urban area'sThe result was the Sturmpanzer, which used a Pz.4 chassis with the upper hull and rotating turret being replaced by a casemate style armoured superstructure housing a new gun, the 15 cm (5,9'') STuH 43 L/12 developed by Skoda.

It fired the same shells as the 15cm SIG 33 heavy infantry gun. There were in all Thirty Eight rounds carried on board, with seperate propellant cartridges.
It used a SfL.Zf -1a sight. An MG34 machine gun was carried that could be fastened to the open gunners hatch, much like the arrangement on the Sturmgeshultz III Ausf. G.

Early vehicles carried an MP40 sub machine gun inside which could be fired through pistol ports in the sides of the superstructure for crew protection.

The drivers station projected forward of the front sloped armoured plate and used the Tiger 1 Fahrersehklappe 80 drivers sight. Unfortunately the fighting compartment was badly ventilated by natural convection, exiting through the rear of the superstructure via two armoured covers. Side skirts were fitted as standard to protect the tracks and bogey wheels etc.

Early vehicles were too heavy for the chassis which lead to frequent breakdowns of the suspension and transmission. Efforts were made to ameliorate this from the second run with some success.

In late October 1943 it was decided that the STuH 43 gun needed to be re designedto reduce its weight, a new version some 800 Kgs lighter than the older STuH 43, was builtas the STuH 43/1.

Some of the weight was also saver by reducing the armour on the gun mount itself, this gun was used after the third production series onwards.

Zimmerite was applied to all vehicles until September 1944.

Catching up on Signal Magazine.

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' Desert Panzer IV '
Sent in by

Michael Dady Nottingham UK

Dear Battlefrontmodels, Here are a few photo's of my heavily converted Heng Long Pz.IV fI. I have depicted the model with its origional 'factory' base coat of 'dunkelgelb'. It is reported that a number of Pz.IV's were rushed straight from the factory to the fronts, and went into action with their origional factory colour which was the bark yellow.

The main gun on this model recoils as it shpuld i.e. only the end section recoils into the barrel. Plus you will notice that I have corrected the horrendous Heng Long mantlet plate has also been corrected.

Best wishes Michael Dady.

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Michael has achieved a lot on this model looks simple but is quite complex the paint finish and weathering are superb, I like the rear personally and finished even to a bucket.

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' Sturmgeshultz III. or STuG III'
Sent in by

Andrew Freebury of Newport, South Wales UK

Andrew has done an expert job of fitting one of Battlefront models Shurzen armour kits to his STuG III choosing a witer camo and backdrop photo's.

Andrew said the the Shurzen kit went on easy and she's a runner!
He has also invested in metal tracks and up rated suspension, I'll soon be out in the garden as soon as I have built the tank track range as its like my WW2 re-inacting hobby 'do it right'
If you are spending lots of money on a nice model wht leave it in the cupboard.

My winter STug III is based upon a vehicle I saw in the series 'World at War' it was supporting a Tiger1 in the Russian front in 1943.

I always wanted to do a STuG with side armour and considered making my own until I saw your kit on Ebay and Bingo!

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A Brief History of the STug III

The Sturngesuktz III (STuG III) assult gun was Germanys most produced armoured fighting vehicle of WW2. It was build onto a Pz.3 Chassis this vehicle was initially intended as a mobile, armoured light gun for infantry support but the German Wehrmacht soldiers called it '' There STuG'' and were always pleased to see it when in action.

Throughout the War the STuG was continually upgarded and became a tank destroyer also, low in profile but deadly.

The STug III Ausf. G (Sd.Kfz. 142/1) was manufactured from December 1942 up to April 1945 some 7, 720 units produced. 173 were converted from Pz. Kpfw III chassis, the final and by far the most common of the STuG Series.

The model G used the hull of the Pz. Kpfwg.III ausf M Upper new superstructure was widened, welded boxes on either sides were abandoned. This new superstructure increased its height to 2160mm. From May 1943 side hull skirts (Schurzen) were fitted to G models for added armour protection, particulary against anti tank rifles.

Side skirts were retro fitted to some Ausf, F/8 models skirts were also to be fitted to all front line STuG's and tanks by June 1943 in preporation for the battle of Kursk. Mounting brackets for the side skirts were found to be inadequate as many were lost.

From March 1944 improved mountings were introduced, and as a result side skirts are more often seen with late model G's. From May 1943 80mm thick plates were used for frontal armour instead of two plates of 50mm plus 30mm. However a backlog of completed 50mm armours existed. For those still with 50mm plates additional armour still had to be welded or bolted on in the field until Oct 1943.

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DID YOU KNOW

The American motor industry in WW2 who would normally produce Cars for the general public produced for the war effort over 3.2 million assorted military vehicles over a six year production period which included Tanks,Trucks, Jeeps,Staff Cars and Amphibious vehicles plus motorcycles.

A brilliantly modelled Pz.III short barrel with that well worn battle damage look, Schurzen kit by Modelbau.de, and backdrop and high quality finish is as usual from Peter.

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DID YOU KNOW

Arnold Schwarzenegger purchased the tank that he drove during military service in Austria.

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' Bergepanzer '
Sent in by
Peter Symonds Nottingham UK

A superb Bergepanzer model from Peter he always thinks on the different side doing models that also become unique suitable for any collection, with all the detail you could want with loads or realisic combat items onboard.

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The 'Bergepanzer' was a German service and recovery vehicle of World War 2 it had specialist hoists and winches to repair tanks and trucks in the field including engine removal.
Based on a Pz.3 Chasis also included items such as welding gases and cutting tools to remedy minor damage to armoured area's.
Even today there is a place for the 'Bergepanzer' or Recvovery Vehicle in all the armies of today.

An abandoned Bergepanzer being passed by US troops in a Jeep .. France 1945

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DID YOU KNOW

The Great Depression had a ripple effect throughout the World, it prevented Germany from paying Word War One repartions to the Allies, which forced Great Britain and France to default on theit debts to the US also after WW1.